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Updated: September 9, 2026 @ 12:13 pm
The Goodyear City Council approved a special use permit for a sprawling solar energy and battery storage project in south Goodyear.
The Desert Rainbow Solar project is a utility-scale solar energy generation facility planned on approximately 5,050 acres south of Queen Creek Road and east of Waterman Wash.
The Goodyear City Council approved a special use permit for a sprawling solar energy and battery storage project in south Goodyear.
The Goodyear City Council approved a special use permit for a sprawling solar energy and battery storage project in south Goodyear that is expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenue and hundreds of construction jobs.
The council voted 6-1 to approve Resolution No. 2026-2537 for the Desert Rainbow Solar Project, a utility-scale solar energy generation facility planned on approximately 5,050 acres south of Queen Creek Road and east of Waterman Wash. Councilmember Benita Beckles cast the lone dissenting vote.
The project will include photovoltaic solar panels, a battery energy storage system, electrical infrastructure, a collector substation and at least one operations and maintenance building.
Principal Planner Ann Dolmage said the property is currently undeveloped and is zoned Estrella Phase 3 Preliminary Planned Area Development, or PAD. The preliminary PAD envisioned residential, commercial, mixed-use, light industrial, public and open-space uses for the property, but a final PAD was never approved.
“Under the zoning ordinance in effect at the time of application, energy generation facilities are allowed in any zoning district with approval of a special use permit,” Dolmage said.
The Desert Rainbow Solar project is a utility-scale solar energy generation facility planned on approximately 5,050 acres south of Queen Creek Road and east of Waterman Wash.
Dolmage said the solar panels would stand approximately 10 to 15 feet high and use trackers to follow the sun throughout the day. The battery energy storage system, or BESS, would store surplus electricity so it could be deployed when needed.
The project would have a 30-foot setback around its perimeter, while battery storage units would have to remain at least 100 feet from the perimeter and any buildings.
The project would not connect to the city’s water or sewer systems, with water instead trucked to the site or supplied through on-site wells.
“For the BESS, the applicant will be required to provide a hazard mitigation plan, as well as an emergency response plan,” Dolmage said. “The BESS units will also include an intelligent fire detection, alarm and suppression system.”
Dolmage also highlighted environmental considerations associated with the approximately 5,050-acre site, which falls within wildlife movement areas identified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other agencies.
“The applicants have been consulting with Game and Fish, and they’ve obtained a biological study for the project,” Dolmage said. “One recommendation of the study is for a wildlife corridor through the site, and that will be accommodated near Chandler Heights Road.”
Dolmage said AES is requesting up to 10 years to establish the use and anticipates the facility operating for approximately 40 years. The requested special use permit would have a 45-year term.
“At which point the solar park must be decommissioned, or an SUP extension must be obtained,” Dolmage said. “A final decommissioning plan will be provided before construction.”
The project would be developed by AES Clean Energy on private land currently owned by Estrella South LLC.
Andrew Yancey, an attorney representing AES, said the project is expected to produce approximately 550 megawatts of electricity while placing little demand on Goodyear’s municipal infrastructure.
“The project is a way to make beneficial use of otherwise unproductive land for the next 40 years or so and to provide additional electricity to help Arizona’s economic growth overall,” Yancey said.
AES has submitted the project as part of Salt River Project’s request for proposals process. Arizona Public Service, which serves much of Goodyear, also expressed support for the project.
According to a fiscal impact analysis provided by the applicant, the solar portion is estimated to generate approximately $42.9 million in direct tax revenue for Goodyear over 30 years, while the battery energy storage component is projected to generate another $15.5 million over 15 years.
Dolmage said the project has undergone review by several outside agencies, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, city of Avondale and Maricopa County.
The city also expanded its public notification area from the usual 500 feet to 1 mile around the project site.
“The city has received comments from 14 individuals and organizations about this project,” Dolmage said. “Of these comments, most have expressed support for the project or simply requested more information about it.”
Three neighboring property owners raised concerns about access and whether the project would promote desirable development in south Goodyear, according to Dolmage.
Yancey said the project could also create up to 800 construction jobs and approximately 20 full-time positions once operational.
The project prompted considerable discussion among council members over fire safety, decommissioning, wildlife protection and the long-term future of the property.
Councilmember Trey Terry questioned what safeguards would be in place to ensure the property is properly decommissioned if AES or another future owner is unable to complete the work.
AES has submitted a preliminary decommissioning plan and will be required to provide an updated plan before construction. The company is requesting a 45-year term for the special use permit, with the project expected to operate for approximately 40 years.
“I just want to make sure we protect the city and maintain flexibility for people 45 or 50 years from now,” Terry said.
Fire safety surrounding the battery energy storage system was another major topic.
Goodyear Fire Chief Paul Luizzi said the remote location and lack of fire hydrants would require additional considerations in an emergency response. The project will be required to develop an emergency response plan in coordination with the fire department.
“We would, more than likely, require water storage on-site for any fire protection,” Luizzi said.
AES representatives said battery units would include monitoring and fire-suppression technology and would be designed according to applicable safety standards.
Wildlife protection also factored into the project’s design. Approximately 730 acres around Waterman Wash are expected to remain preserved, and the project includes plans for a wildlife corridor near Chandler Heights Road. AES has been working with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and plans to continue that coordination as the project moves through permitting.
Councilmember Laura Kaino said Arizona’s continued economic and technological growth makes additional energy infrastructure increasingly important.
“Arizona’s economy depends on energy, just as it depends on water,” Kaino said. “Energy is just as important a conversation as water is right now.”
Beckles said she supports solar and battery storage technologies but had concerns about the specific project, including its decommissioning and emergency planning.
“I don’t have any further questions, but I am not in favor of this project,” Beckles said.
Councilmembers Wally Campbell and Vicki Gillis voiced support, citing the need for additional electricity as the region continues to grow.
Gillis said her position on battery storage changed after spending several years researching the technology and touring facilities.
“I was not for it, and now I’m strongly in favor of it,” Gillis said. “I think we need it. If not now, then when?”
Mayor Joe Pizzillo also supported the proposal and said he has toured similar facilities.
The Planning and Zoning Commission previously voted 6-0 on Aug. 19 to recommend approval of the special use permit.
If the project receives its remaining outside permits and approvals, construction could begin as early as 2029.
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